My first experience of a 'master suite' was at a friend's house I visited in high school. As I recall, his parents' bedroom was on the ground floor with access off the living room. The room had its own bathroom which backed up to the main family bath accessed around the corner from the kitchen. This was groundbreaking to me. Absolutely eye-opening.

I grew up in a house much like my own: two story, American Four Square with a single hall bath upstairs. However, my house had been outfitted with what I have to assume is a former closet made to be a 'master bath'...if I may use the term loosely. It is a far cry from what one would expect: tub, sink and toilet squeezed within forty-two square feet (the size of a standard office cubicle). Oh, and no electrical outlets, so don't go washing your hair or anything! It goes without saying, there is great opportunity to make something great. Make something coveted. Make the Carrie Bradshaw closet.

Diagram of the existing configuration.

By removing the closet in the Study, we can regain a window now boarded over, not to mention extra space within the room. Furthermore, by closing off the opening between the study and the vestibule, floor space is gained back. Now, the only way into the Study is via the Master Bedroom. This change frees up the vestibule to become practical space. By simply closing off the entry into the vestibule from the hall, the space is reclaimed for the coveted master suite. Now, with a new opening from the bedroom into the vestibule, you have the beginnings of a Carrie Bradshaw Closet in route to an enlarged master bath.

Proposed floor plan with walk-thru closet.

Though there would be more space if I could convince my husband to demolish the kitchen chimney, there is just enough room for multi-tier closet rods to the left and built-in drawers and shoe cubbies to the right. I hope to repurpose the old closet doors as pocket doors between the bedroom and the bath.

The bath will be outfitted with two pedestal sinks with a custom cabinet between to hide all the essentials...including the hairdryer! The tub concept is abandoned to accommodate a spacious shower enclosed with glass. The toilet will remain where it is though I hope to upgrade to something more water friendly.

I know...this design does not give the Carrie Bradshaw closet justice. At best it is a scraggly cousin to the fabulously posh New York lifestyle it represented on Sex in the City. But this isn't New York and this gal is Married with Children. I'm doing the best I can.